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Department of Political Science and International Studies
(585) 395-2584
Chairperson and Professor: Stephen H. Ullman, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus: W. Raymond Duncan, PhD, Fletcher
School of Diplomacy.
Associate Professors: Walter A. Borowiec, PhD, SUNY
Buffalo.
Assistant Professors: Mark Chadsey, PhD, SUNY Buffalo; John J.
Fitzpatrick, PhD, SUNY Buffalo; Dena Levy, PhD, University of Iowa; Andrea
Rubery, PhD, Georgetown University.
While the Department of Political Science and International Studies does not have a graduate degree program, its graduate political science and international studies course offerings may be applied as requirements and/or electives in degree programs as determined through the advisement process.
Political Science Courses
PLS 502 Legal Internship. Provides an experiential learning opportunity. Requires student interns to perform paraprofessional responsibilities in either a public or private law office. 6 Cr. Every Semester.
PLS 520 Civil Liberties, Civil Rights and the Constitution. Examines public policy and constitutional rights. Focuses on controversial constitutional issues such as affirmative action, capital punishment, abortion, and free press/fair trial conflict. Discusses issues in a seminar format. 3 Cr.
PLS 544 National Security. Covers recent changes in national security (military defense) policy perception, and planning and implementation as a result of technological advances. In particular, focuses on military defense policies, including strategies and tactics of the major powers; their principal allies and other powers of military consequence; and weapons proliferation, arms control, limitation, and reduction. 3 Cr.
PLS 545 International Law and Organization. Provides an introduction to modern public international law and to major international organizations such as the United Nations and associated bodies, as well as major regional organizations. 3 Cr.
PLS 548 Leadership. Draws upon recent scholarly studies and biographies to examine the essence of leadership in the modern age. Studies the uses of power that distinguish leaders from mere power holders. 3 Cr.
PLS 566 Environmental Politics. Investigates federal and New York state environmental policies, and the relationship between the two. Focuses first on federal environmental policy, then covers New York environmental policy. Includes topics selected from major environmental issues: air, water, land use, solid waste, hazardous waste, aesthetics and conservation, atomic energy, pesticides, and chemical waste. Requires two field trips. 3 Cr.
PLS 570 Nationalism (A). Cross-listed as INS 570. Examines the post-World War II force of nationalism as a driving force in the international system, with special attention to the post-Cold War period. Includes the topics of ethnic nationalism and regional conflicts, multinational states and multistate nations. 3 Cr.
PLS 575 Political Geography (A). Cross-listed as INS 575. Covers key aspects of geopolitics as it affects foreign policy and international politics in the post-World War II period. Examines topics such as resources, environment and human geography as well as issues associated with the study of geography-politics relationships: gateway states, shatter belts, heartland concept, and trade ties. 3 Cr.
PLS 599 Independent Study in Political Science. Arranged in consultation with the instructor-sponsor prior to registration. 1-6 Cr. Every Semester.
INS 548 Leadership. Cross-listed as PLS 548. Draws upon recent scholarly studies and biographies to examine the essence of leadership in the modern age. Studies the uses of power that distinguish leaders from mere power holders. 3 Cr.
INS 570 Nationalism (A). Cross-listed as PLS 570. Examines the post-World War II force of nationalism as a driving force in the international system, with special attention to the post-Cold War period. Includes the topics of ethnic nationalism and regional conflicts, multinational states, and multistate nations. 3 Cr.
INS 575 Political Geography (A). Cross-listed as PLS 575. Covers key aspects of geopolitics as it affects foreign policy and international politics in the post-World War II period. Examines topics such as resources, environment, and human geography as well as issues associated with the study of geography/politics relationships: gateway states, shatterbelts, heartland concept, and trade ties. 3 Cr.
INS 599 Independent Studies in International Studies. Permits students to pursue in greater depth topics studied previously in conventional graduate-level courses. Designed through consultation between student and instructor. 1-6 Cr. Every Semester.